Exclusive: Groundskeeper Willie on Scottish independence
The most famous Scotsman on television – Groundskeeper Willie from the Simpsons – follows Kermit the Frog in commenting on Scottish independence.
It comes after Kermit the Frog of the Muppets weighed into the debate and urged Scots to vote No in the referendum.
Kermit also warned that Miss Piggy was willing to serve as Queen of Scotland if there was a split.
Following Kermit’s comments, Channel 4 News contacted Willie from The Simpsons to see what he had to say.
Angry
William “Willie” MacDougal III – originally from Kirkwall – is the fiery Scottish groundskeeper of Springfield Elementary School in the animated series.
Living in the United States, Willie will be unable to vote in the referendum but his views are likely to have some sway on voters back home.
Typically, however, Willie remained cagey about the topic.
He told Channel 4 News: “No matter which way the vote goes I’ll be angry!”
Willie is the latest famous Scot to speak out about the referendum on 18 September.
Legendary singer Annie Lennox is one of the artists backing The National Collective – a cultural organisation supporting independence.
‘Innovative and visionary’
“There is an opportunity for something innovative and visionary,” she says. “Scotland could have some kind of new, ethical stance and it could take on some fresh ideas. That could be amazing, really amazing.”
Other backers include the Proclaimers, Billy Bragg, Mogwai, indie rockers the View, and Scottish 80s icons Deacon Blue and Hue and Cry. The latter’s lead singer
Pat Kane recently told Channel 4 News that he thought the direction was now towards “quite a big yes vote” and that he was “really quite excited”.
Read more: the next king or queen of Scotland
Rock’s counter-argument comes from Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, who told the Daily Record newspaper: “We don’t have the resources – like oil and gas – we’d need to keep Scotland afloat.
“And to me, if you can’t survive, then what’s the point of breaking away?”
If Scotland says yes to independence, it will mean the biggest change in the United Kingdom’s political set-up for 300 years.
First Minister Alex Salmond said he’ll keep the Queen. But what if she doesn’t fancy the job? Maybe Willie could be coaxed back to Scotland.
Picture above: The Simpsons © 2013-2014 Fox and it related entities. All rights reserved. Watch The Simpsons on Sky1 and Channel 4
